What's preoperative chemo like for triple-negative breast cancer?

The preoperative chemotherapy journey can feel overwhelming, but reaching out to connect with others who understand this path shows real strength. Many community members have shared that having practical strategies for managing side effects, staying organized with appointments, and finding small daily comforts made a meaningful difference during treatment. Hopefully others in the community will share their experiences and tips to help support you through this important phase of your treatment plan.

Hi Alice, That's how my treatment plan started for TNBC, but I was stage 3B. I wish you the best in your treatment. Remember everyone's journey is different.

Hi Alice, I’m sorry you have this diagnosis but treatments have improved in last 5 years. Each person is different, with varying treatments & reactions to them. Get the info you need to be comfortable with your decisions. Second opinions can be very helpful. I have Stage 1 TNBC, no node involvement. In February, I started neoadjuvant chemo (dose dense AC for 4 two week cycles followed by 12 weekly cycles of Taxol, completed AC with Neulasta shot & 4 Taxol cycles. So far so good. I haven’t had major side effects during either part other than losing my hair & some fatigue. Most say Taxol is usually “easier” than AC but can vary. Day to Day Be as active as your strength allows, walking or exercise helps you feel better & keeps circulation going but rest as needed. Get fresh air. Stay positive as possible & ask family & friends for help. They want to do so. Due to other condition, I couldn’t take standard anti nausea meds. So had the premeds at infusion & took dexamethasone for 3 days afterward. Also wore Blissful wrist bands for nausea/seasickness for Infusion & 3 days afterward, can be worn 24/7. (Blissful has multiple wrist sizes available on Amazon as Sea-bands (CVS) were to tight for me). For Taxol, I didn’t do cold cap but am using cold mittens & socks to prevent neuropathy during Taxol for 90 minutes total with 2 sets. To avoid frostbite or cold injury. I wear medium weight wool socks, not cotton & mitten ski liners. Take breaks if needed. My oncologist recommended practicing mindfulness for mental health. InsightTimer (icon is small wooden bowl) is a free app or paid subscription that I’ve found helpful. Remember everyone is different and you need make the right decision for yourself. I hope my experience shows it may not be as bad as imagined. I wish you strength & positivity during treatment and beyond. God Bless you and your family & medical team

Yes, I had my first chemotherapy yesterday everything went smoothly I just feel little nauseous this morning.

Thank you all for your encouragement and information. God Bless You

Hi Alice. I’m in treatment for stage 2 TNBC. Had my 10th of 12 taxol chemotherapy sessions. 2 more to go. I have Keytruda every 3rd week. The taxol chemotherapy was tolerable but the Keytruda caused some nausea. I try to eat healthy, rest and walk when I can. I use insight timer to do meditation and it really helps me. I try to think about the one thing I have ahead of me versus thinking of all the treatments ahead. Good luck. We are all together going through this. M

For those with TN, plan to fight hard and try to kill it all off (stem cells included). It's a tricky one. I was 5 years out and let my guard down. I got one tumor in my lung. I was lucky it was just one. I had a lobectomy and so far NED 1.7 year. I am very holistic and do lots of supplements etc.

@MarlaF What do mean fight hard? I thought the risk off reoccurrence dropped after 5 years with TNBC.

Thank you all for your encouragement. I had my second round of chemotherapy yesterday, no energy and the nausea was bad. My grand daughter made me a smoothie that took all that away. Berries and peanut butter yogurt. It really helped. I feel energize today. It a good day.

Hi Alice, I was diagnosed with the same thing in February. started my first round of carboplatin, Taxol and Keytruda on March 17th doing that as the first round, followed by Taxol the next two weeks and repeating this for a total of 4 rounds of the 3 sessions. Then I will switch to Adriamycin, Keytruda and Cytoxal for 4 sessions every 21 days. Then 4 weeks to get my blood count back up and surgery. After surgery I continue with Keytruda every 21 days for 9 sessions. I’ve found that drinking a ton of water 10-12 days have helped work well with my treatment. They give me a steroid which also helps with every treatment and on bad days with both chemos and immunotherapy, I am also given Aloxi which helps with nauseous. I was also given Olanzapine, Zofran, and Compazine for days of nauseousness, but I have been pretty lucky and so far only needed medicine on the days I have all 3 Carbo, Taxol and Keytruda. My energy has been good as well. Usually on those days it hits me two days later and stays with me for 2-3 days.